Bean Bag Projectile Device

ABSTRACT

A bean bag projectile device for use in dodgeball or similar game facilitates a safer, more comfortable, and unencumbering game for players. The device contains two exterior oblong side panels; two circular end panels on opposite ends permanently attached to said exterior oblong sides forming an enclosed hollow core; a sealed bladder against the inner surface of the two oblong side panels; and interior filler.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/853,666, filed Apr. 20, 2020 (pending), which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/838,440, filed on Apr. 25, 2019 (expired), each of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bean bag projectile device that can be used to safely engage in a dodgeball game or similar gameplay.

BACKGROUND

The following description is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the present invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. Any publications cited in this description are incorporated by reference herein. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

Currently, for a dodgeball game, or similar type of game, an inflated rubber playground ball is commonly used. In rare instances, a bean bag type projectile may be used instead of the rubber playground ball. A version of a bean bag used as a projectile is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,480,280. One problem with current projectiles is that they are too hard and cause discomfort to a person who is struck. Currently, bean bags used as projectiles are filled with dried beans, lead shot, granular pellets of soft rubber, or similar materials. These materials are still too hard, have too much mass, and do not allow for a soft impact upon the person being struck.

Another issue related to the use of a rubber ball or a bean bag is not knowing when a player has been struck by the projectile. Dodgeball, and similar games, involve a player, who was struck, to admit he/she was struck, or for the other players to reach a consensus that a player was struck. U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,882 B2 sought to partially remedy this shortcoming by introducing an apparatus worn by a player that included a player hand-held device. This device included electronic lights that would light up and a buzzer that would sound if a player stepped out of the playing area. Such a device is large and, thus burdens the player who is trying to dodge a projectile. Furthermore, due to the large size of the projectile, unstruck players are wrongly eliminated, because the device or the wires connected to the device could be struck instead by mistake.

Another problem created by the above device is the player must hold onto the device during the game, thus encumbering the player's ability to catch a thrown projectile, throw the projectile, or dodge an incoming projectile. Furthermore, this device does not identify if a player is struck by a ball. The device only signaled whether a player stepped out of bounds while playing. Whether a player steps out of bounds is of less importance than where a player is struck during a game of dodgeball, or during any game that is focused on determining whether a person is out of the game because he/she is struck by an object being used in the game.

A standard dodgeball projectile is normally round, making it easy for the projectile to roll into an inconvenient or dangerous area after being thrown. This is especially true for children running after a ball. For adult players, a round ball still causes players to chase after balls, thus wasting energy and potentially losing the balls.

Therefore, there exists a need for a device that is lighter in weight and made of material that ensures any game is played with minimum risk of injury to the players, especially children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bean bag projectile device that does not harm a player or cause discomfort, encumber the player, or create a situation where someone has to chase a ball and possibly sustain injury. In an embodiment, a bean bag projectile device has an exterior shell made of a soft and flexible fabric or other material such as gabardine, cloth, or a soft plastic. The interior of the device comprises a soft plastic filler or fiber filler with a consistency like cotton. The interior further comprises small pellets which can be made of plastic, rubber, or beans, or any combination thereof.

In an alternative embodiment of the bean bag projectile device, the interior comprises a thin soft and flexible bladder that encloses the device's interior and makes an audible sound when the device makes contact with an object. This embodiment causes the device to easily give and collapse in on itself upon contact with another object, such as the ground or a person's body, without causing pain, injury, or discomfort to a person's body. In yet another embodiment, the interior bladder's design is configured to produce a subtle, audible noise, which provides the players a secondary indicator, besides the visible feedback, of when a player is struck by the device.

In all embodiments of the device, due to the device's soft, flexible, and collapsible feature, even when the device is flung or thrown with great force, the device quickly comes to an almost sudden stop on the ground without bouncing numerous times. Also, the distance at which the new device comes to a standstill is reasonably short, and thus, facilitates fast and exciting game play for the players, similar to a typical game of dodgeball.

In an embodiment, a bean bag projectile device configured for safely playing dodgeball like games, comprises two exterior oblong side panels comprising two short edges; two circular end panels comprising two outer edges; and interior filler. Each of the short edges of the oblong side panels is permanently connected to corresponding outer edges of each of the circular end panels by a stitching inside seam.

In a further embodiment, the exterior oblong sides and the circular end panels, comprise thin, soft, flexible material such as gabardine, twill, cloth, plastic, paper, rubber, or any combination thereof.

In still another embodiment, the exterior oblong side panels are permanently attached to the circular end panels by glue or hook and loop tape material.

In one embodiment, the exterior oblong sides panels are about 4 to 8 inches in length and about 2.5 to 4.5 inches in width.

In one embodiment, the circular end panels are about 1 to 3 inches in diameter.

In yet another embodiment, the interior filler is about 1 to 2 cups of uncompressed fiber material.

In an embodiment, the interior filler is about 1 to 2 teaspoons or tablespoons of plastic, bean, corn, beads, or any combination thereof.

In another embodiment, the interior filler is about 1 to 2 teaspoons or tablespoons of a cylinder, rectangular, or prism shaped material.

In one embodiment, the interior filler is about 1 to 2 cups of fibrous material comprising cotton, saw dust, sand, or any combination therefore.

In yet another embodiment, a bean bag projectile device configured for playing dodgeball like games, comprises two exterior oblong side panels comprising an inner surface; two circular end panels on two opposite ends of the device permanently attached to the exterior oblong sides forming an enclosed hollow core; a bladder against the inner surface of the two oblong side panels; and interior filler.

In one embodiment, the bladder is attached to the oblong side panels by sewn seems, glue, or hook and loop tape.

In another embodiment, the exterior oblong side panels, the circular end panels, and the bladder comprises thin, soft, flexible material such as gabardine, twill, cloth, plastic, paper, rubber, or some combination thereof.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, along with the accompanying figures in which like numerals represent the components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the bean bag projectile device with a cutaway portion showing the interior filling.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the interior of an exemplary embodiment of the bean bag projectile device.

FIG. 3a is a side view of one type of pellet used in the interior of the bean bag projectile device.

FIG. 3b is a side view of another type of pellet used in the interior of the bean bag projectile device.

FIG. 3c is a side view of thin strands of fibrous material used in the interior of the bean bag projectile device.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view of the attachment of the flexible oblong side panel to the flexible circular end panel.

FIG. 5 is a view of the interior of an alternative embodiment of the device with the exterior panels removed to show the bladder of the bean bag projectile device.

FIG. 6 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of the bean bag projectile device held in a user's hand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The bean bag projectile device can be used in a variety of dodgeball-like games in lieu of the normal projectile devices and balls normally used in dodgeball-like games. The device is designed to prevent harm to players, remain near to the playing area when thrown, and to not cause harm to a player.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “fill” is intended to include the pellets and interior material of the device. Therefore, the terms “fill,” “pellet,” and “interior material” may be used interchangeably.

Furthermore, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “into” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “about” in conjunction with a numeral refers to a range of that numeral starting from 10% below the absolute of the numeral to 10% above the absolute of the numeral, inclusive.

FIGS. 1-6 depict exemplary embodiments of bean bag projectile device 16, and interior filler 22 (collectively describing individual components 24, 28, and 30 as described below) of device 16. In an exemplary embodiment, device 16 comprises two exterior oblong side panels 18, and two circular end panels 19, wherein short edge 25 of oblong side panes 18 is permanently connected to outer edge 27 of circular end panel 19 by stitching inside seam 21 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). In an embodiment, filler 22 is inserted prior to fully closing device 16 with ladder stitch seam 20. Furthermore, inside seam 21 and ladder stitch seam 20 are further enhanced by using a triple stitch, heavy duty thread, or by stitching with a serger.

Other appropriate means of attachment for circular end panel 19 and oblong side panel 18 is glue or hook and loop tape. A skilled person in the art will be readily able to select a suitable means of attachment based on the operating conditions and requirements in the configurations contemplated herein.

In one embodiment, filler 22 comprises oval granular element 24, oblong granular element 28, and fibrous element 30 (see FIGS. 2 and 3 a-c). In another embodiment, interior filler 22 is added to the interior of device 16 to add mass and soften impact. FIGS. 3a-c and 5 depict the interior view of an exemplary embodiment of oval granular element 24, oblong granular element 28, fibrous element 30 for bean bag projectile device 16. In this embodiment, device 16 comprises two pieces of oblong side panel 18 and two pieces of circular end panel 19 that form a hollow core to enclose oval granular element 24, oblong granular element 28, and fibrous element 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). In one embodiment, each oblong side panel 18 is about 4 to 8 inches in length and about 2.5 to 4.5 inches in width at the mid-section of device 16 and tapers to about 2 to 4 inches in width at either end of device 16. In another embodiment, each circular end panel 19 is about 1 to 3 inches in diameter. In one embodiment, two pieces of circular end panel 19 are used as end pieces of device 16. In one embodiment, oblong side panel 18 and circular end panel 19 comprise flexible material such as gabardine, twill, rayon, cotton, polyester, blends, or any combination thereof. In addition, two pieces of oblong side panel 18 and two pieces of circular end panel 19 comprise an enclosed flexible cover for the exterior of device 16.

In a further embodiment, a hollow bean bag shell is created by connecting two pieces of oblong side panel 18 and two pieces of circular end panel 19, and then filling the hollow shell with oval granular element 24, oblong granular element 28, and thin strands of fibrous element 30 (see. FIGS. 1 and 5). In a yet another embodiment, bladder 36 is inserted into the interior of device 16 against inner surface 26 of two oblong side panels 18 and two circular end panels 19 (see FIGS. 1 and 5). In one embodiment, bladder 36 comprises a shell of a thin, soft, collapsible and flexible plastic, paper, or rubber material that is capable of both enclosing filler 22 while allowing device 16 to make an audible sound when device 16 makes contact with an object. Bladder 36 is closed at bladder opening 38 by sealing two adjoining bladder side stitches 39 with glue, stitching, tape, or any other suitable means of attachment.

In yet another embodiment, device 16 is filled with about 2 teaspoons or tablespoons of oval granular element 24, wherein oval granular element 24 comprises a hard, smooth, small round or cylindrical-shaped pellet as shown in FIG. 3a . Furthermore, the amount of oval granular element 24 within device 16 is no greater than a small fraction of the diameter of fully assembled device 16, with about 5 to 7 ounces per cup of lightweight pellet material.

In another embodiment, device 16 is filled with about 1-2 teaspoons of oblong granular element 28, wherein oblong granular element 28 consists of a hard, smooth, small cylindrical-shaped or round pellet, as shown in FIG. 3b . Furthermore, the amount of oblong granular element 28 within device 16 is about 8 to 12 ounces per cup of heavy weight pellet material. In an embodiment filler 22 comprises the combination of the oval granular element 24, the oblong element 28, and fibrous element 30.

In yet another embodiment, device 16 is filled with about 1 to 2 cups of fibrous element 30, wherein fibrous element 30 comprises uncompressed fiber material, shown in FIG. 5. In one embodiment, oval granular element 24 comprises plastic, bean, corn, beads, or any combination thereof. In an embodiment, oblong granular element 28 comprises plastic, bean, corn, beads, or any combination thereof. However, in one embodiment, oblong granular element 28 and oval granular element 24 differ in mass. In a further embodiment, oval granular element 24 and oblong granular element 28 are cylindrical shaped, or rectangular prism shaped. In yet another embodiment, thin strands of fibrous element 30 comprise cotton, sawdust, sand, or any combination thereof. After device 16 is filled, it is attached by glue, hook and loop tape, or similar material to the inner surface 26 of the collapsible shell to be enclosed as shown in FIG. 5, and as shown in FIG. 1, where the outer surface connects two oblong side panels 18 to two circular end panels 19 to keep filler 22 inside device 16.

In an exemplary embodiment as displayed in FIG. 6, bean bag projectile device 16 has signature logo 49 on oblong side panel 18 and is configured to be held in a user's hand. In addition, device 16 is designed to be manually launched by the user's hand below the shoulder with swift velocity and minimal discomfort or pain upon impact when striking a player or when caught in hand by a player of a game.

Thus, specific embodiments of a bean bag projectile device and methods to employ the device have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. 

1. A bean bag projectile device configured for safely playing dodgeball like games, comprising: a. two exterior oblong sides panels comprising two short edges; b. two circular end panels comprising two outer edges; and c. interior filler; wherein each of said short edges of each of said oblong sides panels is permanently connected to each of said outer edges of each of said circular end panels by a stitching inside seam; and wherein said device is configured to be held in a user's hand.
 2. The bean bag projectile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said exterior oblong sides and said circular end panels, comprise thin, soft, flexible material selected from the group consisting of gabardine, twill, cloth, plastic, paper, rubber, and any combination thereof.
 3. The bean bag projectile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said exterior oblong side panels are permanently attached to said circular end panels by glue or hook and loop tape material.
 4. The bean bag projectile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said exterior oblong sides panels are about 4 to 8 inches in length and about 2.5 to 4.5 inches in width.
 5. The bean bag projectile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said circular end panels are about 1 to 3 inches in diameter.
 6. The bean bag projectile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said interior filler is about 1 to 2 cups of uncompressed fiber material.
 7. The bean bag projectile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said interior filler is about 1 to 2 teaspoons or tablespoons of plastic, bean, corn, beads, or any combination thereof.
 8. The bean bag projectile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said interior filler is about 1 to 2 teaspoons or tablespoons of cylinder, rectangular, or prism shaped material.
 9. The bean bag projectile device as recited in claim 1, wherein said interior filler is about 1 to cups of fibrous material comprising cotton, saw dust, sand or any combination, therefore.
 10. A bean bag projectile device configured for playing dodgeball like games, consisting of: a. two exterior oblong side panels comprising an inner surface; b. two circular end panels on two opposite ends of said device permanently attached to said exterior oblong sides forming an enclosed hollow core; c. a bladder; and d. interior filler, wherein said device: i. is configured to be held in a user's hand; and ii. is configured to make an audible sound when said device contacts with an object; wherein said interior filler: i. is about 1 to 2 teaspoons or tablespoons of cylinder, rectangular, or prism shaped material; wherein said bladder: i. comprises an opening and two adjoining side stitches; ii. is inserted into said device against said inner surface of said two oblong side panels; iii. is configured to enclose said filler; and iv. is closed at said opening by sealing said two adjoining side stitches, glue, stitching or tape.
 11. The bean bag projectile device as recited in claim 10, wherein said bladder is closed at said opening by sealing said two adjoining side stitches, glue, stitching or tape.
 12. The bean bag projectile device as recited in claim 10, wherein said exterior oblong side panels, said circular end panels, and said bladder comprise thin, soft, flexible material selected from the group consisting of gabardine, twill, cloth, plastic, paper, rubber, and any combination thereof. 